• Nine options in alphabetical order. Options B, C, D, and I all have good picture stone patterns, with D having thin bold dark lines packed tight, and option I having more dramatic curves. Options A and F have horizontal layering, with F more saturated. Options G and H have have horizontal layering that turns into sweeping curves, with a round spot on H. Option E has more even tone and light layering, with a thin dark iron band through one end, and lighter color on the other side.
  • Several sandstone magnets evenly places on an orange background. The magnets are flat round discs of a red-tinged picture sandstone.
  • Two magnets held in a palm to show scale, with a third flipped sideways to show the magnet is thick.
  • Nine options. Options J, K and P don't have much layering, mainly even toned. Option K is mostly light with a darker red splotch lined with a thin dark iron band, P is dark with dark bands. Options L, N, O, and Q have good picture stone pattern, with L and O similar with densely packed thin layers and some scalloping. Option N has two bold dark iron bands through it, with three different tones. Q has vibrant red curving forms. Option M has horizontal layers, and R is split by a bold dark band.
  • Nine options. Options S, V, W, and X have good picture stone patterns, with S mainly near-white with a bold iron band and vivid pattern on one side. The others look like a sky over a desert landscape, option X having the boldest pattern. Option T has straight layering that starts to curve, with option Z similar but lighter toned. Option Y is dark and splotchy with rings. Option U has light layering, a few thin dark bands, and a white edge. Option AA has thin dense layers, with light scalloping like hills.
  • Nine options. Option BB has light layering and feathered dark bands. Option CC has a big spot with layer curving around it like Jupiter. Options DD and GG have slightly curved layering, which turns to rings on one edge of DD. Option E is plain with a section of pattern on one edge. Option FF has dark bold pattern with good scalloping. Option HH and JJ have a thin dark iron band cutting across them, layers radiating from the band in HH, but parallel in JJ with white on one side. Option II is irregular
  • Labeled the "ugly duckling set," the image shows four sandstone magnets. One is off-round, one edge flat. One has a raised lump off-center. All have muted pattern with faint layering, and more rough, porous-appearing rock.
  • One of the magnets on stainless steel, captioned strong magnet!
  • One of the magnets on a measuring mat, measuring a bit under an inch and a half in diameter.
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Sandstone magnets, Arizona Sierra

Sandstone magnets, Arizona Sierra

$4.75 USD
$4.75 USD
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Pick your own...

Locale: Arizona

Material: Arizona Sierra Sandstone

Approx size: sandstone 1.4" diameter round, 1/4 to 3/8" thick with a 1.8 cm x 0.5 cm magnet

Approx weight: 22–28g

 

All pieces have a strong magnet firmly attached!

These round sandstone magnets are made of Arizona Sierra sandstone sourced from central Arizona. Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed of sand compacted and cemented together through geological processes, giving it a grainy texture.

Sandstone with distinct layering like this can be called ‘picture stone’ because the layers resemble a southwestern landscape. It is often cut into flat slabs to best show the layering, and nicer pieces are even framed for display. These magnets each feature a unique miniature 'scene.'

The orange-red coloration of these arches is caused by iron. People often assume “Arizona Sierra” simply refers to the material’s locale, but it’s actually a trade name for sandstone from this locale that has been heat-treated to intensify its red color. The sandstone is cut into small discs and polished using sandblasting. The dark iron bands are harder than the surrounding sandstone and create some 3D ridges as the softer material is more quickly sandblasted away—just like the material would erode in nature.

The 'ugly duckling' set includes four malformed sandstone magnets with light pattern (pobody's nerfect!). The pick-your-own options are all flat and round like a hockey puck; these include one off-round, two non-flat, and one thin piece.

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